Fall movie review: Get ready for one cool season — as in Redford, Hardy, Gosling, Gaga, Davis and Stone

Al Alexander More Content Now

Wednesday

Sep 5, 2018 at 2:32 PMSep 5, 2018 at 2:32 PM

If there’s a theme to this fall’s bumper crop of movies, it’s a celebration of America, its achievements, its people, its institutions and, yes, its flaws. It couldn’t come at a better time, as the land we love is under attack by a basket full of Washington deplorables who want to destroy all we hold dear, from the environment to the rule of law.

It’s no secret that 99.9 percent of the people who make movies hate these “corrupt kleptocrats,” and it shows in the films they plan to roll out between now and Thanksgiving. They particularly take exception to the racially charged slogan of “Make America Great Again.” It’s the filmmakers’ intention to prove — borrowing a phrase from Meghan McCain — that America has always been great and has these glorious achievements to prove it.

Tops on that list is our once mighty space program and the men who risked their lives to beat the evil Russians — now our “friends”? — to the Moon. And what better tribute than “First Man” (Oct. 12), the acclaimed Oscar-contender from previous winners Damien Chazelle (“La La Land”) and Josh Singer (“Spotlight”) depicting the bravery of heroes like Neil Armstrong (Ryan Gosling), while mourning the loss of guys like Ed White (Jason Clarke) who died not trying to make America great again, but greater still.

Then there’s the equally timely “The Front Runner” (Nov. 16), in which song-and-dance man Hugh Jackman steps into the unenviable deck shoes of Gary Hart to depict the rise and fall of a womanizing presidential candidate who — to tap a familiar phrase in these times of #MeToo — failed to keep it in his finely tailored pants. Also, it comes from a director in Jason Reitman, who proves that in America everyone deserves a second chance, even after something as criminal as “Labor Day.”

Then there’s perhaps the most timely film of all, “A Private War” (Nov. 16), about a reporter who gave her life to a profession that is as much a part of our nation’s fabric as Congress and the Supreme Court. Her name was Marie Colvin (Rosamund Pike), a war correspondent who made the ultimate sacrifice charging like Goliath into Syria believing the pen is mightier than the sword and proving that the press IS NOT the enemy of the people.

Also in Hollywood’s crosshairs are dire social issues such as drug addiction, movingly depicted in “Beautiful Boy” (starring Steve Carell); equal rights for the LGBTQ community, as addressed in “Boy Erased,” a story about the damage archaic programs like gay conversion can do to sexually confused teens; and religious freedoms that are more like religious constraints, as in the courtroom drama “The Children Act,” about a dying child being denied life-saving treatment because of the faith the kid’s parents believe.

Of course, what would a hail to the Red, White and Blue be without a few comments from roly-poly Michael Moore taking Trump and his till-tapping cabinet to task in his blistering documentary, “Fahrenheit 11/9,” that date marking the day the current president was elected in 2016. This one is definitely not for children (or Republicans).

But there are films that are for the tykes, from sequels to the wonderful “Wreck-It Ralph” and the less spectacular “Fantastic Beasts,” to newcomers like “Smallfoot” and yet another “Grinch.” For fans of the arts, look for fawning homages to the likes of director Hal Ashby (“Hal”), “SNL” Hall-of-Famer Gilda Radner (“Love, Gilda”), and country music trailblazer Blaze Foley in the aptly titled “Blaze.” And in keeping with this showbiz theme, I cannot omit the third remake of “A Star Is Born” (Oct. 5), the quintessential story of an industry that loves you when you’re hot and spits you out when you’re not. Lucky for us, it features two folks who are definitely hot in Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who in addition to starring makes his directorial debut.

And there are lots more from where those movies came from, including the usual array of superheroes, would-be comedies and horror pictures, some of them possibly even Oscar contenders. But don’t hold your breath. Rather, just sit back and enjoy. And to further your anticipation here’s a rundown of what’s headed your way, beginning with:

Sept. 14“The Predator”: Imagination has gotten so thin, studios have resorted to dusting off movie monsters of yore, from “Alien” to “Jurassic Park.” Thus, we get this slightly satirical revival directed by Shane Black (“The Nice Guys”) in which the title beast is pursued through space and the backwoods of Georgia by a nerdy professor and a slapdash troop of mercenaries. Keegan-Michael Key, Jason Trembley and Sterling K. Brown co-star.

“A Simple Favor”: “Bridesmaids” director Paul Feig takes a stab at film noir with this slippery tale about a small-town mommy blogger (Anna Kendrick) on the hunt for clues into the disappearance of her best friend (Blake Lively). Hunky Henry Golding (“Crazy Rich Asians”) co-stars as the missing woman’s enigmatic husband.

“White Boy Rick”: Matthew McConaughey and Richie Merritt portray the real-life Detroit father and son, Richard and Rick Wershe, the latter of which played both sides of the law during the 1980s’ war on drugs. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bruce Dern co-star.

“Madeline’s Madeline”: A teen (newcomer Helena Howard) enrolled in a theater group is encouraged by her director (Molly Parker) to draw on her troubled relationship with her mother (Miranda July) as an improv project. If you think this won’t go well, you’re right.

“Pick of the Litter”: What could be more adorable than a documentary following the selection of the brightest and best puppies as they train to become guide dogs for the blind? Probably nothing.

Sept. 21“Life Itself”: The title, stolen from the terrific 2014 Roger Ebert tribute by Steve James, isn’t the only thing unoriginal about this smarmy rip-off of “This Is Us.” Writer-director Dan Fogelman, who created the hit TV series, delivers pretty much the same thing, with the only difference being this time we must buy a ticket. What a cast, though: Oscar Isaac, Olivia Wilde, Antonio Banderas, Annette Bening and Mandy Patinkin.

“The House with a Clock in Its Walls”: If you can stomach Jack Black (Hint: I can’t), then you might like this film version of the Edward Gorey-illustrated book about a kid (Owen Vaccaro) moving into the creepy home of his uncle (Black) and accidentally awakening the dead. Eli Roth directs and Cate Blanchett co-stars.

“Blaze”: You’ve probably never heard of Blaze Foley or the huge mark he left on country music. And that’s exactly why Ethan Hawke wants to share the secret with the world through his Sundance hit in which Benjamin Dickey won a jury prize for his portrayal of Foley, a Texas songwriting legend who spawned the outlaw movement that included Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson.

“The Children Act”: Religion and the law don’t generally mix, as Emma Thompson’s Judge Fiona Maye is about to find out in being asked to rule on whether doctors have the right to cure a dying teen (“Dunkirk’s” Fionn Whitehead) whose faith doesn’t allow medical treatment. Stanley Tucci co-stars as the judge’s not-so-supportive husband, and Richard Eyre (“Iris”) directs.

“Love, Gilda”: Lisa D’Apolito is the latest documentarian to tell the story of a beloved celebrity using their own words to tell their own story. In this case, the “SNL” standout who died way before her time.

“Fahrenheit 11/9”: Fourteen years after ripping George W. Bush to shreds with “Fahrenheit 9/11,” Michael Moore returns to do likewise to the current occupant of the White House. Expect no mercy.

“Lizzie”: You can’t get enough Lizzie Borden, or so it seems judging by all the accounts of her murder spree on TV. This version stars Chloë Sevigny as Lizzie in the days leading up to the crime.

Sept. 28“Little Women”: Do we really need yet another film version of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, especially with four already in the can and another one slated for next year directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Meryl Streep? I think I just answered my own question, but luckily this is a story you never grow tired. And won’t it be great to see Lea Thompson again? She’s Marmee March to Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy, as they pass into adulthood.

“Night School”: Fresh off his smash, “Girls Trip,” director Malcolm D. Lee (cousin of Spike) delivers another screwball comedy, this one starring Kevin Hart and “Trip’s” trippy breakout star, Tiffany Haddish. They play student and teacher, respectively, in a classroom farce about adults trying to earn their GEDs.

“Hell Fest”: Are you ready to be taken for a ride into Hell? That’s the thin premise of this horror schlock about a group of teen friends under siege by a masked serial killer at a crowded amusement park on — of all days — Halloween.

“Colette”: Wash Westmoreland follows up his Oscar-winning “Still Alice” with a “Big Eyes”-type story of a female artist, in this case a ghostwriter (Keira Knightley), fighting her husband (Dominic West) for creative control of her popular works.

“Smallfoot”: It’s no “Wreck-It Ralph,” but this animated tale reversing the Bigfoot legend by making the Yeti’s the hunter and the mythical human the hunted should keep the kiddos entertained.

“Assassination Nation”: Might this be more than yet another teen horror/slasher flick with the moral resting on the dangers of social media? We shall see.

Oct. 5“A Star Is Born”: Like “Little Women,” this is a property that’s been visited much too often. And to be honest, I haven’t liked any of the three previous versions, so Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (making his directing debut) have nowhere to go but up in playing the musical’s star-crossed lovers — he’s a little bit country, she’s a little bit soul — with careers headed in opposite directions.

“Venom”: The Marvel character (Tom Hardy) gets his opportunity to break out in yet another superhero flick in which the world must be saved. But first Hardy’s Eddie must deal with the monster inside him. Michelle Williams co-stars and Ruben Fleischer directs, but warning: This is NOT an official MCU film.

“The Old Man and the Gun”: Robert Redford makes what he calls his final screen role in David Lowery’s prison-escape thriller about Forrest Tucker (Redford), a real-life septuagenarian who busted out of San Quentin and went on a crime spree that oddly had the masses cheering. Casey Affleck and Sissy Spacek co-star.

“The Sisters Brothers”: Director Jacques Audiard (the extraordinary “Dheepan”) makes his U.S. debut with this quirky Western about two Oregon brothers (John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix) hired to kill a prospector who has stolen from their boss.

“Tea with the Dames”: Roger Michell (“Notting Hill”) takes a stab at directing a documentary with his intimate profile of four of England’s most beloved actresses: Dame Eileen Atkins, Dame Judi Dench, Dame Joan Plowright and Dame Maggie Smith.

Oct. 12“First Man”: Last time out, Rhode Island’s Damien Chazelle put us over the moon with his magnificent “La La Land.” Now, he actually takes us to the Moon’s surface with his Neil Armstrong biopic starring “La La’s” Ryan Gosling as the man who first set foot on the lunar landscape 49 years ago. Lifting the film to an even higher orbit, the script — culled from James R. Hansen’s book — is credited to Oscar-winner Josh Singer (“Spotlight”).

“Bad Times at the El Royale”: Jeff Bridges, Chris Hemsworth, Jon Hamm and Dakota Johnson headline Drew Goddard’s follow up to his cult hit “Cabin in the Woods.” They are among the seven strangers lured to a Lake Tahoe motel to be confronted with their darkest secrets before punching a one-way ticket to Hell.

“Beautiful Boy”: The Oscar buzz is loud and strong for Steve Carell’s work as the father of a drug-addicted son (Oscar-nominee Timothee Chalamet) spending years in and out of rehab. Maura Tierney plays the boy’s mother.

“Goosebumps 2”: Haunted Halloween: Jack Black sits out this sequel to the popular original in which the actor got all meta on us by playing horror author R.L. Stine, whose books both films are based on.

“Garry Winogrand: All Things are Photographable”: Sasha Waters Freyer directs this profile of acclaimed photographer Garry Winogrand, whose pictures froze in time three decades of history following WWII.

“The Happy Prince”: Rupert Everett writes, directs and stars in a profile of the final days of literary genius Oscar Wilde.

Oct. 19“Halloween”: It’s been many “Halloweens” since Jamie Lee Curtis last faced old pal Michael Myers with so much on the line. Guess who wins? John Carpenter serves as creative consultant on a script by director David Gordon Green and his buddy, Danny McBride.

“Wildlife”: Paul Dano moves behind the camera to direct a script he wrote with partner Zoe Kazan about a kid (Ed Oxenbould) becoming the man of the house when his depressed father (Jake Gyllenhaal) abandons his cheating wife (Carey Mulligan) to go fight forest fires in northern Montana.

“The Hate U Give”: A teenager (Amandla Stenberg) tries to burn the candle at both ends when she’s forced to choose between her loyalty to her poor, black neighbors in the hood or her privileged friends at a mostly Caucasian prep school. Regina Hall co-stars.

“MID90S”: The overhyped “Skate Kitchen” was a dud, so Jonah Hill has nowhere to go but up in his directorial debut about a teen skateboarder in 1990s L.A. struggling to deal with a troubled family life while finding his calling riding with his new pals.

“Serenity”: Oscar-winners Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway play a divorced couple, with the latter asking the former to help protect her and their son from the violent new husband (Jason Clarke) she’d like see dead. “Locke’s” Steven Knight directs.

“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”: Melissa McCarthy returns to the same mix of drama and comedy she excelled at on “Gilmore Girls” in this biopic about celebrity biographer Lee Israel, who profiled the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Tallulah Bankhead and Estee Lauder.

Oct. 26“Hunter Killer”: Reigning Oscar-winner Gary Oldman livens up the story of a novice sub commander (Gerard Butler) leading a team of U.S. Navy Seals in rescuing the kidnapped Russian president. Donovan Marsh directs.

“Johnny English Strikes Again”: It’s been 15 years since Rowan Atkinson filled the clumsy shoes of the “accidental” (or, is that accident prone?) secret agent. Did you really miss him? Even if you didn’t, he’s coming just the same, presumably to halt a cyber-attack outing MI-6 agents.

“What They Had”: In actress Elizabeth Chomko’s writing-directing debut, Hilary Swank and Michael Shannon play siblings dealing with a dying mother (Blythe Danner) and a father (Robert Forster) who doesn’t want to let her go.

“Stuck”: Usually, getting trapped on a subway car is reason to cry, but in the eyes of first-time writer director Michael Berry, it’s a reason to get up to dance and sing -- and in the process make the lives of all aboard better. And — you don’t even need a T pass.

“Burning”: In this Cannes favorite, director Chang-dong Lee tells the story of a Korean love triangle that travels to unexpected places, building mystery and suspense with each riveting minute.

Nov. 2“The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”: Next to Santa and the Christmas tree, Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet is a staple in our holiday celebrations. Or, so Disney hopes in bastardizing a terrific live experience by taking it to a movie screen and turning it into one of its pat princess tales. Mackenzie Foy lands the coveted role of Clara, with help, no less, from Morgan Freeman, Helen Mirren and Keira Knightley. Lasse Hallstrom shares directing duties with Joe Johnston.

“Bohemian Rhapsody”: Rami Malek tackles the unenviable task of trying to do justice to a master showman in director Bryan Singer’s behind-the-music biopic about the grandiose life and tragic death of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury. I, for one, hope he pulls it off.

“Nobody’s Fool”: Tyler Perry cashes in on the meteoric rise of Tiffany Haddish, casting her as an ex-con who comes to live with her straight-laced sister (Tika Sumpter) with alleged comedic results. Whoopi Goldberg co-stars.

“The Girl in the Spider’s Web”: Claire Foy swaps her royal TV crown for an enormous dragon tattoo to play Lisbeth Salander in the latest exploits of the badass, vigilante created by the late author Stieg Larsson.

“Suspiria”: Director Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me by Your Name”) takes us behind the scenes of a renowned dance company headed by a woman (Tilda Swinton) freaking over her ambitious young protégée (Dakota Johnson) and a grieving psychotherapist (Lutz Ebersdorf). Might it all be just a dream? Or, is the horror real?

Nov. 9“Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch”: Nothing could be worse than the abomination Ron Howard and Jim Carrey made of this beloved fairytale back in 2000. Well, don’t be too sure about that since this version of the Dr. Seuss classic is from the same animators who foisted “Minions” upon us. I shudder to think. For what it’s worth, the Grinch’s voice is provided by Benedict Cumberbatch, so maybe there’s hope.

“Peterloo”: To honor the 200th anniversary of Britain’s Peterloo Massacre, director Mike Leigh offers a moving tribute to the victims who were killed and wounded by the British troops who stormed a peaceful protest over voting rights and Parliamentary reform.

“Overlord”: The convoluted trailer for this J.J. Abrams-produced ghoul fest looks like a cross between D-Day and “Zombieland.” And I don’t mean that in a good way. Enter at your own risk.

“At Eternity’s Gate”: Like last year’s “Loving Vincent,” director Julian Schnabel examines the dark days of Vincent Van Gogh’s final two years on Earth. Oscar-nominee Willem Dafoe plays the iconic artist.Nov. 16“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”: For me, this dull franchise is to “Harry Potter” what “The Hobbit” was to “The Lord of the Rings.” There’s just no comparison. But for those who care, in this installment Johnny Depp’s annoying Grindelwald escapes custody and amasses support for overthrowing the muggle government to seat a ruling body of wizards. It’s up to Eddie Redmayne’s Newt Scamander to stop him. Jude Law co-stars as Dumbledore.

“The Front Runner”: Are you up for a little “Monkey Business”? Yes, that really was the name of the yacht 1988 presidential candidate Gary Hart (Hugh Jackman) was pictured fooling around on with Donna Rice (Sara Paxton), aka Miss South Carolina World. Hart’s wife was not amused, and neither were voters, which made Mass. Gov. Michael Dukakis very happy because he went on to win the Democratic nomination. Jason Reitman directs.

“The Ballad of Buster Scruggs”: You can always count on Joel and Ethan Coen to deliver something completely different. In this case, a Western anthology consisting of six short stories starring the likes of Liam Neeson, Tim Blake Nelson, Zoe Kazan and James Franco.

“Instant Family”: If it’s the holidays, it must be time for a lowbrow Mark Wahlberg comedy, this one about a couple (Wahlberg and Rose Byrne) jumping blindly into the horrors of being foster parents to three wild-child siblings. Allegedly, the film is based on the experiences of writer-director Sean Anders (“Daddy’s Home”).

“A Private War: Here’s a scoop”: Rosamund Pike is the choice to play Marie Colvin, the war correspondent who first lost an eye, and later her life, stepping smack into the line of fire in some of the world’s most dangerous places. Documentarian Matthew Heineman (“Cartel Land”) directs in his narrative feature debut.

Nov. 21“Green Book”: Apparently “The Three Stooges” was the last straw for Peter Farrelly, who ditches the comedy — and his brother, Bobby — to get semi-serious with the fact-based story of a Bronx bouncer (Viggo Mortensen) driving a black pianist (Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali) through the minefield that was the Jim Crow South using “The Green Book” as their guide. Like “Driving Miss Daisy” (only in reverse), the two become great pals.

“Ralph Breaks the Internet — Wreck-It Ralph 2”: Topping “Wreck-it Ralph” will be a tall order for the Disney toonsmiths, but with the folks behind “Zootopia” calling the shots, I’m confident they’ll rack up another winning score. This time, Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) travel the Internet to save Vanellope’s video game.

“The Favourite”: Oscar-winners Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone take cousinly rivalry to extremes as their aristocratic characters compete to become the favorite companion of England’s slightly dotty Queen Anne (Olivia Colman) in the latest surreal offering from Yorgos Lanthimos, the imaginative director of “The Lobster.”

“Creed II”: Michael B. Jordan and Sylvester Stallone return for another round of hard knocks and bodily punches, but celebrated writer-director Ryan Coogler (“Black Panther”) does not. The little-known Steven Caple Jr. (“The Land”) replaces him and the results could be rocky, if you get my pun. But to be sure, Adonis Creed will fight on.

“Robin Hood”: Taron Egerton trades in his “Kingsman” weaponry for a bow and arrow to play the beloved Robin of Loxley, a war-hardened warrior who joins with his Moorish commander (Jamie Foxx) to revolt against the corrupt English crown.

“Second Act”: Jennifer Lopez resurrects her “Maid in Manhattan” schtick, playing a 40-year-old ad woman out to prove to her male bosses that street smarts are equal, if not better, than book smarts.

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